Fluid energy converter
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A tube for a fluid energy converter, the tube comprising:
- a generally cylindrical and hollow body having an interior surface, an exterior surface, and a longitudinal axis; and
a plurality of helical grooves formed into the exterior surface and the interior surface;
wherein each helical groove formed into the exterior surface has an exterior tip surface and an exterior root surface and wherein each helical groove formed into the interior surface has an interior tip surface and an interior root surface, wherein a first portion of the body defines the exterior tip surface of a respective one of the grooves formed into the exterior surface and wherein the first portion defines the interior root surface of a respective one of the grooves formed into the interior surface and wherein a second portion of the body defines the exterior root surface of the respective one of the grooves formed into the exterior surface and wherein the second portion defines the interior tip surface of a respective one of the grooves formed into the interior surface; and
wherein each helical groove has first and second walls and wherein the helical grooves are adapted to capture fluid on the first wall of a helical groove on the exterior surface, and wherein the helical grooves are adapted to capture fluid on the second wall of the helical groove on the interior surface.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Embodiments include apparatus and methods of fluid energy conversion. One embodiment relates to a tube for a fluid energy converter. The tube may include a generally cylindrical and hollow body having an interior surface, an exterior surface, and a longitudinal axis. Another embodiment includes a fluid energy converter having a longitudinal axis and a rotatable tube coaxial about the longitudinal axis. In some embodiments, the rotatable tube converts kinetic energy in a fluid into rotating mechanical energy, or converts rotating mechanical energy into kinetic energy in a fluid.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A tube for a fluid energy converter, the tube comprising:
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a generally cylindrical and hollow body having an interior surface, an exterior surface, and a longitudinal axis; and a plurality of helical grooves formed into the exterior surface and the interior surface; wherein each helical groove formed into the exterior surface has an exterior tip surface and an exterior root surface and wherein each helical groove formed into the interior surface has an interior tip surface and an interior root surface, wherein a first portion of the body defines the exterior tip surface of a respective one of the grooves formed into the exterior surface and wherein the first portion defines the interior root surface of a respective one of the grooves formed into the interior surface and wherein a second portion of the body defines the exterior root surface of the respective one of the grooves formed into the exterior surface and wherein the second portion defines the interior tip surface of a respective one of the grooves formed into the interior surface; and wherein each helical groove has first and second walls and wherein the helical grooves are adapted to capture fluid on the first wall of a helical groove on the exterior surface, and wherein the helical grooves are adapted to capture fluid on the second wall of the helical groove on the interior surface. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A fluid energy converter, comprising:
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a longitudinal axis; a rotatable tube coaxial about the longitudinal axis, wherein the rotatable tube has a plurality of helical grooves formed into an exterior surface and an interior surface of the rotatable tube; a set of front blades distributed radially around the longitudinal axis, the set of front blades coupled to the rotatable tube; a set of back blades distributed radially around the longitudinal axis, the set of back blades coupled to the rotatable tube; a shaft coincident with the longitudinal axis and operationally coupled to the rotatable tube; a nacelle positioned coaxially about the longitudinal axis, wherein the nacelle is positioned inside the rotatable tube; and wherein the rotatable tube is configured to convert kinetic energy in a fluid into rotating mechanical energy, or to convert rotating mechanical energy into kinetic energy in a fluid. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12)
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13. A rotor for a windmill, the rotor comprising:
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a generally cylindrical and hollow tube having an interior surface and an exterior surface; a plurality of walls along a perimeter of the tube, the walls forming a plurality of helical vanes configured to receive kinetic energy from a wind; and wherein the rotor is configured for mounting coaxially with a nacelle, and wherein the nacelle is located at least partly in the tube. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16)
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Specification